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"An Israeli court convicted former Justice Minister Haim Ramon of forcibly kissing a young female soldier — a case that riveted the country's attention and added another layer of scandal to Israel's beleaguered leadership.
The verdict was expected to clear the way for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to launch a major Cabinet shakeup.
Ramon, 56, was charged with sexual misconduct after kissing the 18-year-old woman at a party at the Defense Ministry on the first day of Israel's war with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon last summer. Ramon, who is divorced, said the woman had flirted with him and the kiss was consensual. He could face up to three years in prison. He is expected to appeal.
Ramon was a key political ally of the prime minister and served as Olmert's justice minister until the indictment forced him to step down last August. He had remained a member of parliament throughout his trial."
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"The conviction is expected to lead to a major reshuffle in the Israeli Cabinet, where Ramon's old job as justice minister is being temporarily held by the foreign minister, Tzipi Livni. The shakeup could also cost Labor Party leader Amir Peretz his job as defense minister, with other politicians changing their portfolios. Peretz has been widely criticized for his handling of last summer's war against Hezbollah, and has poor relations with Olmert."
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1583726,00.html